CUPERTINO, Calif., Feb. 12
PRNewswire-FirstCall
-- Apple(R) today
introduced Aperture(TM) 2, the next major release of its groundbreaking photo
editing and management software with over 100 new features that make it
faster, easier to use and more powerful. With a streamlined user interface and
entirely new image processing engine, Aperture 2 also introduces new imaging
tools for highlight recovery, color vibrancy, local contrast definition,
soft-edged retouching, vignetting and RAW fine-tuning, and lets users directly
post their portfolios on the .Mac Web Gallery* for viewing on the web,
iPhone(TM), iPod(R) touch and Apple TV(R). At a new low price of $199, anyone
can easily organize, edit and publish photos like a pro.

"Many of the most respected photographers on assignment all over the world
trust Aperture to organize, edit and deliver their images," said Rob Schoeben,
Apple's vice president of Applications Product Marketing. "With its simpler
interface and lower price, anyone can take full advantage of Aperture's
power."

"At the end of the day, it's all about the quality of the image," said
Sports Illustrated contributing photographer David Bergman. "Even before I
begin making adjustments, Aperture's new RAW processing gives me better images
with more visible detail and better color rendering than any other program
I've tested."

"I used to have so much stress about post-production on a shoot, having to
juggle multiple applications to make sure they all worked," said Bob Davis,
PDN Top Knots Wedding Photographer 2007. "With Aperture that's no longer a
factor. I can do everything all in one application."

Featuring a new, easier user interface designed to be more intuitive and
accessible, Aperture 2 now lets users navigate between Viewer and Browser
modes with a single key command. Screen real estate is maximized for images
with an all-in-one heads up display that allows users to toggle between
library, metadata and adjustment controls in a single tabbed inspector. The
All Projects view, modeled after iPhoto's Events view, provides a poster photo
for every project and the ability to quickly skim through the photos inside,
and the integrated iPhoto(R) Browser offers direct access to all the events
and images in the iPhoto library.

Performance has been enhanced in Aperture 2 so it's faster to import,
browse and search large volumes of images. Embedded previews let photographers
caption, keyword and rate images as they are being imported, and with the
ability to export images in the background, photographers can continue working
while images are processed to JPEG, TIFF, PNG and PSD file formats. Quick
Preview allows users to browse RAW images in rapid succession without having
to wait for files to load, and the Aperture library database has been
re-architected to provide fast project switching and near instantaneous search
results, even when working with extremely large libraries of 500,000 images or
more.

Aperture 2 delivers powerful new imaging tools for getting the most out of
each photograph. Apple's next-generation RAW image processing is at the core
of Aperture 2 offering uncompromising image quality and precision controls
that let users fine-tune the image profile for each of their cameras. New
tools for improving and enhancing images include Recovery for pulling back
"blown" highlights, Vibrancy for selectively boosting saturation without
adversely affecting skin tones, Definition, which offers local contrast for
adding clarity to images, Vignette & Devignette filters for providing
professional visual effects and a true soft-edged Repair and Retouch brush for
quickly and easily removing blemishes, cleaning up sensor dust and cloning
away problem areas.

Aperture 2 works seamlessly with Mac OS(R) X, iLife(R), iWork(TM), .Mac
and Apple print products, so any image in the Aperture library can be accessed
directly from within other applications, such as iMovie(R), Keynote(R) and
Pages(R), and even from within Leopard(TM) Mail. Now with .Mac Web Gallery
support, Aperture users can publish their photos once to view them on the web,
iPhone, iPod touch and Apple TV. Books in Aperture 2 feature new theme
designs, layout tools, customized dust jackets (including full-bleed) and foil
stamped covers.

Pricing & Availability

Aperture 2 is available immediately for a suggested retail price of $199
(US) through the Apple Store(R) (
http://www.apple.com
), Apple's retail stores
and Apple Authorized Resellers. Owners of previous versions of Aperture can
upgrade to Aperture 2 for just $99 (US). Full system requirements and more
information on Aperture 2 can be found at
http://www.apple.com/aperture
.

The .Mac service is available to persons aged 13 and older. Annual
membership fee and Internet access required. Terms and conditions apply.

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple
II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh.
Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its
award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional
applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its
iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and has entered
the mobile phone market with its revolutionary iPhone.